For instance, we at the moment use a svn/cvs type build system, where we have a staged checkin, requiring developers to put in a change set first, which then needs to go through tests. The first lines I read were support for cvs style development, followed by "shelving is a new feature..."

I spent the majority of my day sitting through the track on Microsft Team System and Team Foundation Server. There's a lot of great work being done here that will support the different roles throughout the software development lifecycle Here is an extensive list of notes from today's Team System sessions

Peter Jones recently attended some early training on Team System and likes what he sees, too:

This is huge. For medium to large sized teams I can see some big paybacks. I guess there are already other toolsets available, from Rational and the like, that do much the same thing and I'm not an expert on these either. However, VSTS looks very promising and it certainly tackles the main problems with development: production - i.e., making software development more of a structured manufacturing process.

In the latest streamzine from Net Objectives, Scott Bain extracts the advice encapsulated in the classic "Gang of Four" text:

Our newest streamzine is entitled “Advice from the Gang of Four (with the Strategy Pattern).” This streaming presentation investigates the general design advice promoted by the authors of Design Patterns, Element of Reusable Object-Oriented Software, with the Strategy Pattern used as an example.

Streamzines are streaming education clips, but only the most recent one is available from their Web site.

If you're in the Redmond area, consider attending their forthcoming live presentation, “Comparing RUP, XP, and Scrum: Mixing a Process Cocktail for Your Team.” It's a free talk that will be presented by Dan Rawsthorne on Thursday, November 11, 2004 at Microsoft Redmond Campus, Building 27/1810-Olympic, from 6:00-8:30pm. Pizza and refreshments will be served. Click here for more information.